Login
iscover
The resignation comes after deputy opposition leader Sussan Ley called for the organisation to consider the position of its CEO.
Newsletter
COSBOA CEO resigns after 18 months
11 January 2023
•
10 minute read
CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) Alexi Boyd has notified the board of her resignation after 18 months in the position.
You’re out of free articles for this month
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Ms Boyd said she was proud of what she achieved in the role but the time was right for her to move on.
“It has been an incredible 18 months and I feel this is the best decision for both me personally and COSBOA,” said Ms Boyd.
“After time spent at home over the summer break I now plan to spend more time with my family.”
“I look forward to keeping engaged with COSBOA’s future and will always be on hand to help out.”
COSBOA’s board chairman Matthew Addison said Ms Boyd led the organisation during a critical period for small businesses and helped them face the ongoing impact of the pandemic, staff shortages, natural disasters, and the increased threat of cyber attacks.
“As CEO, Alexi has skilfully represented the interests of small business in two federal budgets, and a federal election,” said Mr Addison.
“In addition, she has worked collaboratively with a new federal parliament to meet the diverse needs of our members during a time of major upheaval.”
Mr Addison also pointed to the importance of Ms Boyd’s role at last year’s Jobs and Skills Summit.
“Alexi represented small business at the Jobs and Skills Summit, initiated and led the development of the COSBOA Cyber Wardens initiative with sponsorship from corporate Australia, advocated for consideration of small business in Consumer Data Rights and the Respect at Work legislation, for government-funded family and domestic violence leave, and established COSBOA’s quarterly Small Business Data Report,” he said.
“The board wishes Alexi the very best for her future business endeavours and is grateful to her for being an incredible champion of small business in Australia.”
Ms Boyd’s resignation comes after deputy coalition leader Sussan Ley wrote to COSBOA in late November and asked for the board to “consider the position of its CEO”.
Ms Ley wrote to the board after an email from Ms Boyd to colleagues was leaked where she voiced her concern about the possible consequences for the organisation regarding its position on the industrial relations reforms.
“I do not think it is a good idea for us,” Ms Boyd said in correspondence leaked to The Australian Financial Review.
“I think it would burn too many bridges with the current government. It ties us to big business too closely.”
COSBOA said Ms Boyd would finish her time in the position on 25 January with Mr Addison to oversee CEO activities with assistance from chief operation officer Will Harris and head of engagement Catherine Donnan until a new CEO has been appointed.
You need to be a member to post comments. Become a member for free today!
